Charlotte County burn ban remains in place as fire chief cites drought and Monday brush fires

Amid a drought and numerous brush fires sparking in Charlotte County, commissioners unanimously voted to keep the county's burn ban in place.

There was a resolution up for discussion during the Charlotte County Commission Agenda meeting on Tuesday morning to lift the burn ban, but Charlotte County Fire Chief Matthew McElroy asked for it to remain in place.

McElroy noted that the burn ban shouldn't be lifted due to the current drought status and the multiple brush fires that ignited on Monday.

Commissioners voted 4-0 against lifting the burn ban. McElroy will come back before the commissioners to ask that the burn ban be lifted once he feels conditions warrant it.

The ban prohibits all outdoor burning, which includes the following:

• Yard waste burning
• Recreational fires and bonfires
• Pile burning for land clearing
• Private use and discharge of fireworks, sparklers, and similar incendiary devices